Lillestrom player criticised for posing naked with Norwegian Cup

A Norwegian football player has been criticised for disrespecting the domestic cup trophy after posing naked on stage and using it to cover his modesty.

After Lillestrom beat Sarpsborg 08 3-2 in the Norwegian Cup final on Sunday, defender Aleksander Melgalvis Andreassen stripped naked during the team celebrations and covered himself with the trophy, called the "King's Cup."

It was seemingly a reference to a similar stunt by Rosenborg forward Christian Gytkjaer after winning the Norwegian league title last year, but did not go down well with the country's FA.

"Winning the cup is a big thing and obviously it should be celebrated. But it is fully possible to do so without showing the King's Cup and what it represents so little respect," the Norwegian FA's communications director, Yngve Haavik, told TV2.

"I am sure it wasn't intentional from Melgalvis but it came out the wrong way regardless. I think Melgalvis and Lillestrom agree with that."

Melgalvis himself said he could understand the criticism but insisted he had no regrets.

"Of course I can understand that [people thought] it was a bit over the top. I'll admit that and apologise, but it is not something I regret," he told Verdens Gang. "I was so privileged to get to greet the king yesterday, so maybe I'll have to apologise to him today."